chance to be elected - but no certainty as McGinn & lots of others are fighting him here. Petit jury was called today & several jurors excused. When that was done Prat [previous word struck through] I asked the attorneys in if they were ready for trial & they said they were & I ordered the clerk to call the jury. Pratt arose (he was not an attorney in the case) & said that as the jury was short he supposed I would order a special venire to fill it - I said no - it would be filled in the case for trial. He urged that as it was a matter of interest & the lawyers were interested he would like to be heard. I answered that if it was of interest to the lawyers